Chapter 66: Major General Mozambique!

At sea, no one had ever dared to be as audacious as Hippolyte D. Asa—using his teeth to bite through a bullet with astonishing force.

What would have happened if he had failed? The bullet would have pierced his throat, killing him instantly. Worse yet, there was no way to know if the bullet had been infused with Haki, making such an act an unimaginable risk.

This kind of feat required more than just confidence—it demanded exceptional reflexes, immense bite strength, unbreakable teeth… and sheer nerve.

Nearly all Haki users possessed extraordinary reaction speeds, but there were few on the seas faster than Asa and Kizaru.

Naturally, this scene left the surrounding pirates in stunned silence, some choking on their drinks in shock. The waiter, trembling, hid behind the bar, too afraid to even lift his head.

"Click!!"

In full view of everyone, Asa's gleaming white teeth snapped shut, shattering the solid iron bullet in half. He spat the remains onto the ground.

"Your head is worth 50 million beli? Perfect," Asa grinned, licking the lingering taste of gunpowder from his lips. "I'll take it without hesitation."

As he slowly stood up from his seat, the towering dark-skinned pirate—more than four meters tall—visibly paled. His knees buckled as he staggered backward, knocking over a table in the process.

"Zzzzzssssssssss!"

Lightning crackled in Asa's palm, stretching outward into the shape of a long, electric blade. His grin widened as he swung down without mercy.

"Chichichi!!"

Blood sprayed onto the ceiling. A head, still wearing an expression of shock and disbelief, rolled to the floor.

"As a pirate, you should be prepared to die as one. If you can't accept that reality, go home and drink milk. Don't waste your time playing pirate."

Asa cast a disinterested glance at the remaining pirates, their faces pale with fear.

He and Roger had vastly different ideologies. Roger's upcoming Great Pirate Era would undoubtedly flood the world with unworthy pirates—cowards who lacked the backbone to survive at sea.

Asa believed that only the strong should call themselves pirates. Anything less was an embarrassment. On this matter, his views aligned more with the Golden Lion than with Roger.

"Now then, where's the waiter?" Asa turned, casually scanning the restaurant. "Come pay up. Fifty million beli should cover my meal, right?"

The waiter, still hiding under the table, peeked out cautiously before scrambling to his feet. He moved with practiced efficiency, picking up the severed head with surprising skill—clearly, this wasn't the first time he had done this.

Asa nodded in satisfaction and prepared to leave.

"Pirates in the restaurant! Drop your weapons and surrender! You are surrounded!"

A familiar voice boomed from outside the restaurant.

Asa turned his head and glanced toward the entrance. A group of marines had gathered outside, their leader standing at the forefront—someone Asa recognized immediately.

Captain Mozambique of the West Blue.

Except, this time, he was wearing the coat of a Rear Admiral.

"Well, well," Asa muttered with a smirk. "Got yourself a promotion, huh?"

With a light chuckle, he pushed the restaurant door open and stepped outside.

"Crack!!"

The moment he appeared, dozens of Marines raised their rifles, all aimed directly at him. The tension was palpable.

"Hey, Colonel Mozambique—oh wait, my mistake… Major General Mozambique!" Asa greeted casually, as if he were chatting with an old friend. "Long time no see!"

"You…" Mozambique's face immediately stiffened. His eyes widened in disbelief. "Hippolyte D. Asa?!"

He never expected that one of the World Government's most wanted criminals would show up in his jurisdiction.

"Prepare for battle!" Mozambique barked, his expression turning serious. He unsheathed his dual fifty-two swords, gripping them tightly.

"Major General Mozambique, are you really going to send your men to their deaths?"

Asa narrowed his eyes, sparks of electricity crackling around him.

"As a Rear Admiral, even if I know I am outmatched, I will not stand aside while pirates roam freely in my territory. This is the justice I believe in!" Mozambique declared firmly.

His conviction made Asa pause.

Asa had no respect for weaklings, but he did admire people who stood by their beliefs, even in the face of certain defeat.

It reminded him of the O'Hara archaeologists—people who held onto their ideals despite the risks.

But admiration didn't change reality.

They were from opposing sides. Mercy had no place in war.

"Attack!!" Mozambique roared.

"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Gunfire erupted as dozens of marines unleashed a barrage of bullets.

"Have you forgotten my abilities since our last meeting?" Asa smirked.

The bullets froze midair, suspended in place for a split second. Then—

"Boom!"

With a flick of his fingers, he sent the bullets flying back at double the speed.

"Puff! Puff! Puff!"

The sound of metal piercing flesh echoed as several Marines collapsed, wounded and incapacitated.

"Clang!"

Sweat dripped down Mozambique's forehead, but he didn't hesitate. He swung his swords, releasing a powerful shockwave of sword energy straight at Asa.

Meanwhile, at Marineford

"What?! Hippolyte D. Asa has been spotted in Carnival City? And he attacked a Marine base?!"

Fleet Admiral Kong slammed his fist onto his desk, roaring at the transponder snail.

"That damned reckless pirate!" he fumed. "Send Vice Admiral Haguar D. Sauro to support them immediately! Where's Garp? Isn't he nearby as well?"

After a brief silence, he gritted his teeth and studied Asa's projected route.

From Ergo's Wine City → to Carnival City → then to Pukei, the Gourmet Capital → next would be Spring Queen's City → and finally, the Sabaody Archipelago.

Alternatively, he could jump tracks, heading from Carnival City to the intersection of the second and third routes, then pass through Water 7 before reaching Sabaody.

Regardless of which path he took—

"We must capture him at Sabaody! We cannot let him enter the New World. If he does, the World Government's reputation will be in ruins!"

Back on a Navy Ship

"Vice Admiral Sauro, we've received a distress call from Carnival City! Hippolyte D. Asa has been spotted on the island, and Major General Mozambique is currently engaging him!"

A marine officer gave a sharp salute.

The massive figure standing at the bow of the ship turned, his arms—thicker than tree trunks—folded across his chest.

Orange-red hair. A thick beard. An unmistakable presence.

Vice Admiral Haguar D. Sauro.

"Heh heh heh heh heh…" Sauro's signature laugh rumbled through the air.

"Full speed ahead! We're heading to support Major General Mozambique!"

"Yes, sir!"

"Mozambique, your ideals are admirable," Asa said, standing over the fallen marines, his body flickering with lightning. "But I can't let you live. If you leave now, I'll spare you. What do you say?"

Mozambique, bleeding but undaunted, gripped his sword tightly.

"If I abandon my beliefs, then how am I any different from a pirate? Justice is eternal! Pirates will fall!"

With a final roar, he charged toward Asa, blade raised high!

(End Of Chapter)

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